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The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World Hardcover – September 21, 2021

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 878 ratings

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A Wall Street Journal Bestseller

Your personal goals need a long-term strategy.

It's no secret that we're pushed to the limit. Today's professionals feel rushed, overwhelmed, and perennially behind. So we keep our heads down, focused on the next thing, and the next, without a moment to breathe.

How can we break out of this endless cycle and create the kind of interesting, meaningful lives we all seek?

Just as CEOs who optimize for quarterly profits often fail to make the strategic investments necessary for long-term growth, the same is true in our own personal and professional lives. We need to reorient ourselves to see the big picture so we can tap into the power of small changes that, made today, will have an enormous and disproportionate impact on our future success. We need to start playing The Long Game.

As top business thinker and Duke University professor Dorie Clark explains, we all know intellectually that lasting success takes persistence and effort. And yet so much of the relentless pressure in our culture pushes us toward doing what's easy, what's guaranteed, or what looks glamorous in the moment. In The Long Game, she argues for a different path. It's about doing small things over time to achieve our goals—and being willing to keep at them, even when they seem pointless, boring, or hard.

In The Long Game, Clark shares unique principles and frameworks you can apply to your specific situation, as well as vivid stories from her own career and other professionals' experiences. Everyone is allotted the same twenty-four hours—but with the right strategies, you can leverage those hours in more efficient and powerful ways than you ever imagined. It's never an overnight process, but the long-term payoff is immense: to finally break out of the frenetic day-to-day routine and transform your life and your career.

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From the Publisher

The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World

long term, strategy, thinker, thinking, business, principles, frameworks, transform, life, career

Editorial Reviews

Review

Named one of the Best Work and Management Books of the Past Year by Charter

"…breezily presents very common sense advice about careers and business. Among Clark's recommendations: adopt the '20% time' approach popularized by Google and devote that portion of your time to exploring new areas." — Charter

"Dorie's book helps us … create the kind of interesting, meaningful lives we all seek." — Forbes

"Few people understand strategic thinking as well as Dorie Clark…" — Inc. magazine

"Clark's rich and varied background—college graduate at 18, award-winning journalist, presidential campaign adviser, documentary filmmaker, and more—uniquely positions her to advise people on how to accomplish anything they want." — Civil Engineering Magazine

Advance Praise for The Long Game:

"Filled with hard-earned wisdom, The Long Game is the book so many of us need right now. Dorie Clark's best book yet." — Seth Godin, author, This Is Marketing

"Dorie Clark has written an essential book that addresses the leadership challenge of our time: solving hard problems in a world with a limited attention span. The Long Game is a blueprint for building our organizational futures." — Frances Frei, coauthor, Unleashed

"As always, Dorie Clark delivers the goods. By telling the stories of an array of high achievers, she shows the importance of strategic patience and the enduring power of curiosity and resilience. Prepare to take notes!" — Daniel H. Pink, author, When, Drive, and To Sell Is Human

"If you want to create a blue ocean strategy for your career, read The Long Game. In this essential guide, Dorie Clark shows you how to build a unique and powerful professional trajectory."— Renee Mauborgne, New York Times bestselling coauthor, Blue Ocean Strategy and Blue Ocean Shift; Distinguished Fellow of Strategy and International Management, INSEAD

"If you've ever felt like you don't have enough hours in the day, you have to read The Long Game! Clark will help you strip away the things on your calendar that keep you from spending time on what's most important and achieving your ultimate goals." — Marshall Goldsmith, New York Times bestselling author, Triggers, Mojo, and What Got You Here Won't Get You There; winner of Lifetime Achievement Award, Institute for Management Studies; and two-time winner, Thinkers50 Leadership Award

"The Long Game offers a thoughtful, practical, and compelling approach to achieving one's higher ambitions in a demanding, short-term-focused world. A very worthy read." — Doug Conant, founder and CEO, ConantLeadership; Chairman, CECP; former CEO, Campbell Soup Company

"If you want to take control of your life and career—and cultivate the habits for success—read The Long Game." — Charles Duhigg, bestselling author, The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better

"To redefine success on your own terms and build a life that matters, read The Long Game." — Keith Ferrazzi, New York Times bestselling author, Never Eat Alone and Leading Without Authority

"This is one of those rare books that can help us refocus on what truly matters. Masterfully written and packed with actionable advice, Dorie Clark's The Long Game shows us how to break the every-day-is-a-sprint cycle and discover our comfortable, personal marathon pace." — Francesca Gino, Tandon Family Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School; bestselling author, Rebel Talent

"If you're interested in building and living a truly meaningful life, this wonderful précis by my extraordinary friend Dorie Clark is for you. It's full of specific, actionable advice that you'll be able to apply immediately." — Hubert Joly, former Chairman and CEO, Best Buy; Senior Lecturer of Business Administration, Harvard Business School; and author, The Heart of Business

"Be prepared never to look at your life the same way again. The Long Game is a must-read for anyone desperate to be liberated from the shackles of the screen and discover a life post-Covid." — Martin Lindstrom, bestselling author, The Ministry of Common Sense and Buyology

"Success is not a question of how much stuff you get done. It's not even a question of what you manage to achieve. Instead, it's knowing your purpose in life and taking the right steps to fulfill your potential. Dorie Clark is one of my favorite writers, and The Long Game may be her best book yet. Filled with inspiring examples and practical advice for how to approach your career differently, this book will quite literally change your life. I highly recommend it." — Erin Meyer, author, The Culture Map; coauthor, No Rules Rules; and Professor of Management Practice, INSEAD

About the Author

Dorie Clark is a consultant and keynote speaker who teaches executive education at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and Columbia University's Graduate School of Business. She is the author of Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You, and Stand Out. The New York Times has described Clark as an "expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives." Her books have been translated into eleven languages. Learn more and download your free self-assessment at dorieclark.com.

You can find more about Dorie Clark at:
dorieclark.com
twitter.com/dorieclark
linkedin.com/in/doriec

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harvard Business Review Press (September 21, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 164782057X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1647820572
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 878 ratings

About the author

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Dorie Clark
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Dorie Clark is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game, Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You, and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by Inc. magazine.

She helps individuals and companies get their best ideas heard in a crowded, noisy world. She has been named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50 and was honored as the #1 Communication Coach in the world by the Marshall Goldsmith Leading Global Coaches Awards .

A keynote speaker who teaches executive education for Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School, Clark has been described by the New York Times as an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives.” She is a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, and you can download her free Long Game strategic thinking self-assessment at dorieclark.com/thelonggame.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
878 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides practical advice and life lessons. They find it relatable, with powerful personal stories that support the ideas. Readers appreciate the actionable, bite-sized steps to achieve lasting success. The writing quality is praised as engaging and well-researched, with real-life examples.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

100 customers mention "Advice quality"96 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the book's advice. They find it insightful, practical, and encouraging. The author weaves life lessons with her personal struggles to demystify success. Readers appreciate the anecdotal advice and thoughtful read that simplifies how and where to invest their time.

"...Not only does she delightfully speak her mind, and the information she offers to the readers is correct and academically well presented, but she..." Read more

"...Dorie is a tremendous storyteller, and she mined rich, varied, and insightful anecdotes from her Recognized Expert community to illustrate, quickly..." Read more

"...this kind of book is the existence of worthwhile nuggets, snippets and ideas that I can map into my own, ever-evolving, map of how to navigate the..." Read more

"...Every bit required a whole lot of diligence, hustle, and long-term thinking. As such, she is the embodiment of the guiding principles of this book...." Read more

52 customers mention "Readability"50 positive2 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it provides practical advice for self-improvement and coaching others. Readers appreciate the nuggets and insights from the book.

"...It’s a good book. Thank you for writing it." Read more

"...For me, the test of this kind of book is the existence of worthwhile nuggets, snippets and ideas that I can map into my own, ever-evolving, map of..." Read more

"...In other words, it is wise. It will take you about 3 hours to read, 3 months to implement, and a lifetime to reap its rewards...." Read more

"...there is nothing in this book that is earth-shattering, it's an excellent compendium and reminder of what to do if you aspire to something different...." Read more

27 customers mention "Storytelling"27 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's storytelling. They find the personal stories relatable and inspiring. The author weaves together experiences, ideas, and stories to support her ideas and provide memorable lessons.

"...Dorie is a tremendous storyteller, and she mined rich, varied, and insightful anecdotes from her Recognized Expert community to illustrate, quickly..." Read more

"...Clark provides us with a powerful guide that is enlightening, anecdotally enriched, comprehensive, and immediately implementable for anyone..." Read more

"...Second, it’s part autobiographical. Clark’s book is relatable since she offers a candid recollection of the years it took for her to become a..." Read more

"...By using her own life as a mirror, Dorie shared an intimate retelling of what it means to seek your true purpose in life and what’s right, not what..." Read more

22 customers mention "Actionable ideas"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides actionable steps and strategies for defining success, creating opportunities, and achieving lasting success. They appreciate the clear definitions and effective strategies that help them establish credibility, yield fruitful results, and leave a legacy. The book contains excellent ideas and stories that illustrate key points quickly and effectively.

"...your time, focusing more on your projects, and designing strategies to be more valuable and efficient...." Read more

"...effort (for longer than most can endure) is a great formula for reaping the rewards of your hard work...." Read more

"...Highly recommended for those ready to play the long game and achieve lasting success!" Read more

"...for anyone who is willing to put in the time and work to achieve goals over time...." Read more

18 customers mention "Implementation time"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's insights timely and actionable. It explains the philosophy, process, and practices of becoming a master at life. Readers appreciate the straightforward and informative reading style.

"...delivers on the premise of the book, that patience + strategy + consistent effort (for longer than most can endure) is a great formula for reaping..." Read more

"...It will take you about 3 hours to read, 3 months to implement, and a lifetime to reap its rewards...." Read more

"...is enlightening, anecdotally enriched, comprehensive, and immediately implementable for anyone seeking to craft and deliver their message to the..." Read more

"...This was a timely read. After several decades of regional and international travel in pursuit of my vocation, my body said, “Stop!”..." Read more

14 customers mention "Writing quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's writing engaging and insightful. They appreciate the real-life examples and clear, memorable lessons. Readers also value the summary at the end of each chapter describing the main ideas and actions.

"...tone and witty asides, as well as the precise and descriptive language, place you at the scene...." Read more

"...with a powerful guide that is enlightening, anecdotally enriched, comprehensive, and immediately implementable for anyone seeking to craft and..." Read more

"...Again, this is addressed by Dorie. Dorie Clark has a way with words, she provides examples and fosters a community of support for those of us..." Read more

"...The book provides clearly defined and memorable “lessons” that I sum up this way “if you want to be a recognized expert, you must be purposeful,..." Read more

8 customers mention "Faith"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for developing a long-term mindset. They appreciate the chapters on patience, failure, and experimentation. The author has mastered the long game and offers a blueprint for keeping faith while others around you don't.

"...The Long Game. How to be a long-term thinker in a short-term world is not just a book...." Read more

"...Keeping the faith by practicing resilience Hint: Don’t skip the Coda. Dorie ties everything together beautifully...." Read more

"...The chapters on patience, failure, and experimentation will be worth the price of the book to many...." Read more

"...This is the blueprint for keeping the faith while everyone around you seems to either make it overnight or give up and become a 9-5er." Read more

8 customers mention "Time management"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's time management tips helpful. They say it helps them eliminate low-value activities and focus on fun, curiosity, and connection. The book offers a refreshing perspective on how to do less well. Readers also mention that taking the long view is beneficial.

"...era when everyone wants their thing to go viral overnight and make a billion bucks. I want my immediate gratification NOW, dammit!..." Read more

"...book focuses on clearing space for your mind to work, by eliminating low-value activities—those things that clutter up our mind with commitments,..." Read more

"...Her guidance: do away with short term thinking and take the long view...." Read more

"...is both important and interesting – so that the urgent and mundane don’t become all-consuming." Read more

Serendipitous Mixology
5 out of 5 stars
Serendipitous Mixology
I found Dorie Clark several months ago through a LinkedIn course about introversion and had downloaded all her books to my Kindle well before I learned from The Long Game that I was “optimizing for interesting.” I was six months into a layoff-induced, mid-life gap year, recapturing some lost learning time from while I was in “heads-down mode” at the same company for 15 years. I was about a third of the way through Reinventing You when I jumped at the chance to preview her latest book about long-term thinking in a short-term world.As a strategic communicator, I’m used to the thoughtful planning that goes into a successful campaign. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I never really considered the benefits of taking a similar approach to a fulfilling career and balanced life. Dorie delivers on the premise of the book, that patience + strategy + consistent effort (for longer than most can endure) is a great formula for reaping the rewards of your hard work. In other words, the only “overnight success” is eight hours of blissfully uninterrupted sleep.Dorie is a tremendous storyteller, and she mined rich, varied, and insightful anecdotes from her Recognized Expert community to illustrate, quickly and effectively, key points in the book. Her conversational tone and witty asides, as well as the precise and descriptive language, place you at the scene. I enjoyed winding down before bedtime with a chapter that sometimes became two.The third part of the book resonated strongly with me – how to push through setbacks and learn from failures along the way. That reminder was serendipitous as I vacillate between rejections for corporate job applications, to laying the groundwork for an LLC, to exploring side hustles and possibly retiring early.So say “Hell yeah” to reading this book if you want practical wisdom about (and strategies for):• Reclaiming your time by saying no when you need to• Alternating between heads-up and heads-down modes• Optimizing for interesting• Seeking meaningful professional development and relationship building opportunities to amplify your efforts• Pursuing goals in cyclical stages by “thinking in waves”• Keeping the faith by practicing resilienceHint: Don’t skip the Coda. Dorie ties everything together beautifully. It’s uplifting.Reading The Long Game is like watching a skilled mixologist apportion the right parts of simple, pure ingredients, shake it up just enough, then pour the drink into an elegant – yet sturdy – glass. One that doesn’t tip over easily. Where the parts are strategy, patience, and resilience; the shaking is motivation and encouragement; and that lovely vessel is you. (With success as a chaser.)And now, I’m turning my focus back to Reinventing You.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2021
    When I discovered Dorie Clark in the Summer of 2020, during a LinkedIn course about Strategic Thinking, she was like a breath of fresh air. That was my "aha moment," and from that day, I've started to read her books and articles and follow her everywhere I could. At first, I couldn't say why. It was just my intuition that somehow her insights could help me see my life destination more clearly. Or maybe she could make me more organized with my writing projects and more pragmatic. Or maybe she could teach me the next step after learning and being good in a specific domain. And she did, in a very special way. She does it in her new book, too, The Long Game. How to be a long-term thinker in a short-term world.

    Not only does she delightfully speak her mind, and the information she offers to the readers is correct and academically well presented, but she also uniquely captures the reader's fears. None of us has the chance of another life. We embark on this only trip, and sometimes life is playing with us, we are busy or overwhelmed, and we forget our dreams and expectations (professional, academic, personal). It's like Master Time is our worst foe, we cannot fight it, but we can fool it. We can behave and manage our days and activities in a more innovative way to keep track of our dreams.

    Our life could be short, but it is not short enough so that we don't become long-term thinkers and embrace our dreams and follow them because this is the only way we can live our lives most satisfactorily.

    The Long Game. How to be a long-term thinker in a short-term world was not a surprise for me, in a way. It has all information I've known on the subject, with the difference that now I have it in a single book, well presented and very well structured. It doesn't matter if it's about managing your time, focusing more on your projects, and designing strategies to be more valuable and efficient. It also teaches you how to manage a failure and use it to be better tomorrow because everything we do is a lesson. Sometimes for us, sometimes for others. And this brings me to the second reason why I like this new book by Dorie Clark.

    The Long Game. How to be a long-term thinker in a short-term world has something new even for me: the stories of the brave people who start living the lives they wanted to have in the first place. I am one of the persons who decided to walk another path at a certain point in life. I was scared, alone, and I didn't know what to do, but somehow, deep inside my brain, I knew change was the only way. I still do. I am not alone in this, and this book is strong proof. Some people have tried this and succeeded, not because they have more money now or have more important jobs, but because they do what they like, follow their dreams, work is no longer a punishment.

    There is only one thing I was puzzled about, reading this book. I wondered if all these ideas can be applied in any other country outside America. Because as far as I know, what can be done in the Western world cannot be done in Eastern Europe, for instance. It crossed my mind, because I am fully aware of the opportunities and networking from America or Western Europe compared to nothing of this kind from other countries. On the other hand, I know that people are struggling for their dreams and passions even in the rest of the world, and all they need is courage and long-term strategies to fulfill what they want.

    The Long Game. How to be a long-term thinker in a short-term world is not just a book. It's a reader for those who want to become the best version of themselves. I hope people will use it in the most creative ways, fulfilling their dreams and their lives. It’s a good book. Thank you for writing it.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2021
    I found Dorie Clark several months ago through a LinkedIn course about introversion and had downloaded all her books to my Kindle well before I learned from The Long Game that I was “optimizing for interesting.” I was six months into a layoff-induced, mid-life gap year, recapturing some lost learning time from while I was in “heads-down mode” at the same company for 15 years. I was about a third of the way through Reinventing You when I jumped at the chance to preview her latest book about long-term thinking in a short-term world.

    As a strategic communicator, I’m used to the thoughtful planning that goes into a successful campaign. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I never really considered the benefits of taking a similar approach to a fulfilling career and balanced life. Dorie delivers on the premise of the book, that patience + strategy + consistent effort (for longer than most can endure) is a great formula for reaping the rewards of your hard work. In other words, the only “overnight success” is eight hours of blissfully uninterrupted sleep.

    Dorie is a tremendous storyteller, and she mined rich, varied, and insightful anecdotes from her Recognized Expert community to illustrate, quickly and effectively, key points in the book. Her conversational tone and witty asides, as well as the precise and descriptive language, place you at the scene. I enjoyed winding down before bedtime with a chapter that sometimes became two.

    The third part of the book resonated strongly with me – how to push through setbacks and learn from failures along the way. That reminder was serendipitous as I vacillate between rejections for corporate job applications, to laying the groundwork for an LLC, to exploring side hustles and possibly retiring early.

    So say “Hell yeah” to reading this book if you want practical wisdom about (and strategies for):
    • Reclaiming your time by saying no when you need to
    • Alternating between heads-up and heads-down modes
    • Optimizing for interesting
    • Seeking meaningful professional development and relationship building opportunities to amplify your efforts
    • Pursuing goals in cyclical stages by “thinking in waves”
    • Keeping the faith by practicing resilience

    Hint: Don’t skip the Coda. Dorie ties everything together beautifully. It’s uplifting.

    Reading The Long Game is like watching a skilled mixologist apportion the right parts of simple, pure ingredients, shake it up just enough, then pour the drink into an elegant – yet sturdy – glass. One that doesn’t tip over easily. Where the parts are strategy, patience, and resilience; the shaking is motivation and encouragement; and that lovely vessel is you. (With success as a chaser.)

    And now, I’m turning my focus back to Reinventing You.
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Serendipitous Mixology

    Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2021
    I found Dorie Clark several months ago through a LinkedIn course about introversion and had downloaded all her books to my Kindle well before I learned from The Long Game that I was “optimizing for interesting.” I was six months into a layoff-induced, mid-life gap year, recapturing some lost learning time from while I was in “heads-down mode” at the same company for 15 years. I was about a third of the way through Reinventing You when I jumped at the chance to preview her latest book about long-term thinking in a short-term world.

    As a strategic communicator, I’m used to the thoughtful planning that goes into a successful campaign. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I never really considered the benefits of taking a similar approach to a fulfilling career and balanced life. Dorie delivers on the premise of the book, that patience + strategy + consistent effort (for longer than most can endure) is a great formula for reaping the rewards of your hard work. In other words, the only “overnight success” is eight hours of blissfully uninterrupted sleep.

    Dorie is a tremendous storyteller, and she mined rich, varied, and insightful anecdotes from her Recognized Expert community to illustrate, quickly and effectively, key points in the book. Her conversational tone and witty asides, as well as the precise and descriptive language, place you at the scene. I enjoyed winding down before bedtime with a chapter that sometimes became two.

    The third part of the book resonated strongly with me – how to push through setbacks and learn from failures along the way. That reminder was serendipitous as I vacillate between rejections for corporate job applications, to laying the groundwork for an LLC, to exploring side hustles and possibly retiring early.

    So say “Hell yeah” to reading this book if you want practical wisdom about (and strategies for):
    • Reclaiming your time by saying no when you need to
    • Alternating between heads-up and heads-down modes
    • Optimizing for interesting
    • Seeking meaningful professional development and relationship building opportunities to amplify your efforts
    • Pursuing goals in cyclical stages by “thinking in waves”
    • Keeping the faith by practicing resilience

    Hint: Don’t skip the Coda. Dorie ties everything together beautifully. It’s uplifting.

    Reading The Long Game is like watching a skilled mixologist apportion the right parts of simple, pure ingredients, shake it up just enough, then pour the drink into an elegant – yet sturdy – glass. One that doesn’t tip over easily. Where the parts are strategy, patience, and resilience; the shaking is motivation and encouragement; and that lovely vessel is you. (With success as a chaser.)

    And now, I’m turning my focus back to Reinventing You.
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2021
    Dorie Clark is a ex-journalist by training and temperament. She's also the epitome of a focused, hard-working, self-made success. And a prime example of the years it takes to be an overnight success. Which is essentially the point of _The Long Game_; you can bounce or bumble along, or you can think beyond the next 15 minutes.

    This isn't a new message. Think Napoleon Hill or Dale Carnegie. Our appetite for these stories and advice is effectively infinite. The question then is are you feeding yourself empty calories or real sustenance. Your opportunity cost isn't great. Your investment might be a long plane ride to extract the value of Clark's effort over the last several years. Hard to lose on that bet. But real food, well-prepared and well-presented, beats junk food. And Clark delivers.

    For me, the test of this kind of book is the existence of worthwhile nuggets, snippets and ideas that I can map into my own, ever-evolving, map of how to navigate the world. Among my favorites are "optimize for interesting", "thinking in waves", "no asks for a year", and "strategic patience." You'll need to get your own copy to chase those down. Or, you can choose your own nuggets.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Chantal Breytenbach
    5.0 out of 5 stars In a manic society there is no greater value than slowing down and playing the long game
    Reviewed in Canada on November 13, 2021
    What I've always appreciated about Dorie Clark is that she generously shares her experiences and insights with others. She is on a mission to create the interdependence that our world needs to thrive.

    In a world where information is abundant and we are inundated and often overwhelmed, there is value in slowing down, and taking a longer-term perspective. Dorie not only preaches the practice of playing the long game, she lives it. She encourages us much like Stephen Covey did back in the day, to begin with the end in mind.

    Additionally, she invites you to look at yourself and your life and realise that you are a multidimensional being and that with enough curiosity and experimentation, you could reinvent yourself many times over. Sometimes it starts with simply staying curious and devoting a small percentage of your time to exploring that which interests you or makes you come alive, and with enough time invested, it could take you places you could never have imagined.

    Instead of settling for the quick fix, slow it down. Think about who you want to be. Who do you need to become? What do you need to learn and grow in yourself to become that? And then start by taking the smallest unit of action you can think of to get yourself started on the path. Small, intentional steps every day is far more important in the long run.

    This book is filled with practical ideas and deep wisdom. I have shared it with four of my clients already and I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to live with the end in mind.
  • conor hogan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Learn the long game in a short time!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2024
    “Peppered with excellent interviews and insight from leading experts this book is a very educational and enjoyable read. As an easy to read book you get a lot of bang for your buck. Littered with expert examples on long term thinking and its comparisons the more obvious day to day requirements that businesses and companies apply all too regularly without a thought for the longer term impact on their organizations and profits. This book opens with plenty of discussions in each chapter from those who know the ups and downs of short term thinking and its comparisons with long term thinking and then summarizes the main points excellently at the end of each chapter. The author marries the need for us all to become long term thinkers with case studies of others who have used this technique to fulfil their dreams. It emphasises how you can achieve what you want without much else except a willingness to serve others and how patience and ability to bounce back are ways in which the long term plan will never let you down especially if you begin to see failure as your friend in your journey to the top. All in, this book is well worth its humble price tag. I’ll be watching out for more by this author in the future!”
  • Sendhil
    5.0 out of 5 stars I am Now a Long Term Thinker
    Reviewed in India on November 13, 2021
    Thanks Dorie! This is one of the best book I’ve read this year. I recommend this book as an ready reckoner for everyone who wanted to strategies their life’s - professional and personal development/success. The book is full of real people and their practical life’s experience, where you can fix yourself in those examples and navigate the way the book recommends for the solutions. Go for it! Sure it will make you to think/see completely different.
  • mancber
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book!, thinking long-term towards your own vision
    Reviewed in Spain on October 3, 2021
    Well done Dorie Clark!, Fantastic and useful book about thinking long-term, about setting your own vision, priorities and go for them; no shortcuts, no magic recipes... it's a longgame to enjoy, step-by-step, patience consistency and resilence to keep moving forward to something/a place that really matters (your own vision, no one else's but your own). Well written, easy-to-read, full of actionable strategies and inspiration from many professionals that share their personal stories along the book.
  • Barbara Ormsby
    5.0 out of 5 stars How to link strategy and execution
    Reviewed in Germany on September 21, 2021
    The Long Game is a book that helps us understand why it is so difficult to act strategically, to stay focused on a long-term goal while completing our everyday work. Dorie Clark lays out the various factors contributing to our difficulty to find time for what really matters and illustrates this with compelling examples. After learning how to say no (which is laid out in great detail and can be immediately put into practice) the readers are then ready to figure out what they want to focus their attention on. Here, Dorie Clark is very careful to avoid platitudes. She guided me through a process to carefully explore what is really worth focusing on. I liked the expression "optimize for interesting" (as opposed to optimizing for money). Well, and this is where most books (or coaching programs) stop. You've found your focus area - great. But the "Long Game" continues and in Section Two Dorie Clark shares her insights on how to stay true to the focus without becoming too narrow. Section Three provides strategies to deal with setbacks, failures and - the most challenging emotion for me - impatience. I like the structure of the book: Dorie Clark lays out simple principles, describes common challenges implementing them in everyday life, and then illustrates her point with examples. At the end of each chapter, there are helpful summaries. I found them helpful when revisiting a step in the process. Although the Long Game is not explicitly a time-management book, I have the impression that it helps me find time to do more of the work that really matters to me.